Review of Viking Mariella ferry

MS Viking Mariella ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel operated by the Finland-based company VIKING LINE. The ship has max capacity of 2500 passengers and 430 cars. The vessel was launched in 1985 and currently operates on the Sweden-Finland ferry route Stockholm-Helsinki (crossing time 17 hours) via Aland (Mariehamn).

Cabins

As cruiseferry, Viking Mariella has 2500 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and with en-suite bathrooms (WC, shower, washbasin), flat TV, radio, phone. Suites and Premium cabins additionally offer hairdryer, refrigerator, double bed, double sofabed. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels and toiletries. Some staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for disabled passengers and people with reduced mobility). Allergy Cabins are with furniture made of non-allergic materials.

Cabins can't be shared - if 2 passengers are booked in a 4-bed cabin, they can't share the remaining 2 free beds with other travelers.

Staff and crew cabins are located on deck 9. Passenger cabins are graded in the following categories:

On overnight crossings, for Suite cabins (excluding Mini Suites) Breakfast is included in the ferry ticket price. Breakfast (included for both adults and children) can be delivered via room service (in-cabin dining) or at the onboard restaurants. For en-suite dining must be filled out a room service order form and submited to the Reception (info desk) the evening before. For restaurant dining, Suite passengers must show their cabin key in the venue.

Seaside (oceanview) cabins are with large windows, Inside and Economy-class cabins are without windows. Economy cabins are located on lower decks. Suites and Premium cabins are larger and better equipped. Only Budget cabins lack private bathrooms.

All cabins are non-smoking and in-cabin alcohol consumption is forbidden. Cabin cleaning and sheets changing is done before port arrival. Staterooms are available during the entire crossing (also during cleaning).

Cot beds (for toddlers up to 1 year of age and weight under 10 kg) are also available, as well as bed rails for kids - provided complimentary upon request.

All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 min prior to homeport arrival.

On top deck (Heli Deck) there is a helipad - helicopter landing area used in cases of emergency.

Free wifi and Internet ("Viking Public" and "Public Internet") are available in designated areas - public spaces and passenger cabins, but not on car decks. The technology is based on modern satellite system, but the speeds are still slower land-based WiFi and depending on weather conditions.

Onboard entartainment is complimentary and includes themed shows with live performances by guest artists - music bands, singers, magicians, Swedish and international celebrities. On themed cruises are presented international cuisine specialties, holiday festivals and tributes to renown artists.

On all Viking Line ships there is a Casino with Blackjack and Roulette tables, as well as slot machines (throughout the ship). Bingo games are offered on most ferries, with location and schedule listed in the ship's onboard program.

The nightclub features modern lighting and design interiors, large dance floor, LED screens, stage for nightly live entertainment (orchestra, guest performers, themed club shows). VIP tables (4-seat) are in a dedicated VIP area designed for private party experiences. VIP tables can be booked after the ship's departure. Table price is inclusive of a bottle of Champagne, strawberries, 20 drink coupons, snacks, olives, nuts.

The a la carte restaurant serves premium breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner. The food is prepared with seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. There is a premium wine list and the menu includes fresh fish, seafood, steaks, vegetarian dishes, kids menu (smaller size dishes).

The Coffee Shop sells specialty coffees and high-quality teas with fressh-baked (on the ship) sweets and salty snacks. In the evenings, the Coffee Shop becomes a wine bar also hosting wine tastings.

All onboard emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on the TV screens and at the ship's assembly stations (aka muster stations). Life jackets are issued at the assembly stations. In case of emergency, the use of elevators / passenger lifts is forbidden.

Viking Line ferry and cruise deals

Viking Line cruise deals are offered on the following Baltic Sea routes: Helsinki-Stockholm and Helsinki-Tallinn, Turku-Stockholm and Turku-Aland, as well as Aland-Stockholm and Aland-Kapellskar. These are 1-night / 2-day cruises inclusive of 24-hour ferry travel and (optional) 2 evenings on the ship with 1 full day in the port destination.

For youth group travel, the ferry company has a quota of 100 passengers per cruise (departures Sunday-Wednesday) and 40 passengers per cruise (departures Thursday-Saturday). The group cruise must be organized by the school (or other association), must have an adult group leader (teacher, parent, etc, at least 30 yo) and 1 adult leader per 10 participants.

Mini cruises (without going ashore and return with the same ferry) are not open for youth group bookings.

The onboard Conference Center is operated with conference packages inclusive of Inside Cabin (booked at double occupancy), buffet dinner and lunch (with included wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee) and breakfast, as well as coffee and fruits at the conference facilities. Group discounts are offered on all ferry cruises. Additional conference time could be added on hourly rates. Meal packages are not mandatory and can be substituted with pre-booked meals. Conference rates are per person and based on advanced booked meal packages and conference facilities, with required minimum 10 persons (supplement applies to smaller groups). Groups of 250+ passengers receive an additional discount. These rates are not combinable with other special offers or discounts. Supplement applies for the buffet meals on all packages during Christmas (November-December). Rates vary depending on route / ship, and are for roundtrip itineraries only.

Spa packages are for 2 hours (priced per person) and inclusive of bathrobe and towel. Spa treatments (massages) are from 30 to 50 min. Longer treatments must be booked in advance. For massages are used only high-quality organic products by Comfort Zone Group (Italy). Entrance to the Spa and Wellness Center is at fixed fee pp, but is complimentary when booking a 50-min treatment. Spa Bar sells wine by the glass, fresh smoothies, small snacks. Spa's VIP rooms are with their own whirlpool and sauna, and are bookable for private use.

Each ship has a dedicated Luggage Room, which is locked 30 min after departure and opened 30 min prior arrival. At the Information Desk are available storage lockers (at fee). Storage boxes (for small bags) are also available. They open via cards (purchased at Information Desk). The card can be saved and recharged (used on several crossings).

As means of payment, Viking Line accepts bank cards and debit cards (including American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard, Mastercard, VISA, VISA Electron, Maestro), as well as cash (ATMs and cashier service at Information Desk / only banknotes). Travelers checks are not accepted.

Pets on the ship

Guide- and assisting dogs always travel for free and permitted to go anywhere on the ship, including the lounges and restaurants.

Viking Mariella ferry wiki

The vessel was launched on September 28, 1984 (float-out), delivered to SF Line (now VIKING LINE) on May 17, 1985, and entered service on May 18. When launched, this was the world's biggest cruiseferry by gross tonnage and passenger capacity - until 1989 when was surpassed by the fleetmate Athena (now Pearl Seaways). Sistership is Princess Anastasia (1986).

Since its delivery, the ship is deployed on the Stockholm-Helsinki route, making its service the longest on the route.

In September 2000, the ship entered drydock in Naantali (Finland). During the reconstruction, its interior was updated and the disco nightclub moved (from deck 8 to deck 7). During drydock 2006, the onboard Tax Free Shop and Parfumerie were redesigned, and the Ocean Grill restaurant was added.

During drydock 2015 were renovated all passenger cabins and restaurants. During refurbishment 2017 (September 10-22), the ship underwent a major overhaul of the "Coffee and Joy Cafe" (dedicated pastry chef, menu upgraded with more fresh-baked goods, desserts, specialty coffees) and the adjoining kids playground area. Tax Free Shop was renovated and redesigned, with more space allocated to fashion, beauty products and alcohol (including sparkling wines). The buffet restaurant was also renovated.

The shipowner VIKING LINE takes out of service each its cruiseferries once every 2 years (on average) for drydock refurbishments, technical maintenance and equipment upgrades.